Saturday, April 26, 2008

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

In honor of Earth Day, I wanted to provide a parable that I heard when I was very small. We must always use the good minds God gave us when deciding to act on a concern.

The Story of Chicken Licken:

Chicken Licken was playing under the oak tree one day, when an acorn fell on his head.

"The sky is falling! I have to tell the Farmer!" said Chicken Licken, and off he went to tell the Farmer that the sky was falling down.

By and by he met Ducky Lucky.

"Where are you going Chicken Licken?"

"I'm off to tell the Farmer that the sky is falling down!"

"Then I will come too!"

And Chicken Licken and Ducky Lucky went to tell the Farmer that the sky was falling down.

By and by they met Henny Penny.

"Where are you going?"

"We're off to tell the Farmer that the sky is falling down!"

"Then I will come too!"

And Chicken Licken, Ducky Lucky, and Henny Penny went to tell the Farmer that the sky was falling down.

By and by they met Turkey Lurkey.

"Where are you all going?"

"We're off to tell the Farmer that the sky is falling!"

"Then I will come too!"

And Chicken Licken, Ducky Lucky, Henny Penny, and Turkey Lurkey went to tell the Farmer that the sky was falling down.

By and by they met Foxy Loxy.

"And where are you going this morning?"

"We're off to tell the farmer that the sky is falling!"

"Follow me! I know just where to find the Farmer," Said Foxy Loxy.

And Chicken Licken, Ducky Lucky, Henny Penny, and Turkey Lurkey followed Foxy Loxy. But he didn't take them to see the Farmer; he took them straight to his den, where his wife and the baby foxes were waiting for dinner. Then Foxy Loxy and his family ate up Chicken Licken, Ducky Lucky, Henny Penny, and Turkey Lurkey, and they never did get to tell the Farmer that the sky was falling down.

The End.

America's public schools are not teaching fine traditional parables like this. Instead, they are crying over cute polar bears and scary video game graphics that show the earth being destroyed. It's difficult to tell who is the stupid Chicken Licken or the sly Foxy Loxy. All I know is when someone says "The time for debate is over!", then it's time to take a second look.

This past year it was hot. It was summer. I live in Tijuana, Mexico. It gets hot there every year during the summer. Then the weather changed. One frosty day I went outside to see the Mexican people standing outside their houses, faces upturned. They stared in amazement as white flakes fell from the sky. Most of them had never seen snow before. (Then they ran inside and piled on the layers of thick clothing: Mexicans hate cold.) You can find unusual weather going on some place all over the world.

As we wish to take good care of the planet God gave us, let's not give up our freedoms to do it! Happy Earth Day!

Thank you to my sister and brother-in-law for the wonderful gift you gave us of the doll telling that story. Thanks to you, I can repeat it word for word, complete with sound effects, which is a good thing, because the batteries are already starting to die. I did tell my daughter, who was sad about the poor farm animals, "This is what happens when you run after some feather-brained idiot with a cause. Foxy Loxy comes hunting for you!"

Sunday, April 20, 2008

I have a thing about laughing frequently. I need it. There are times to be sober, but if I pass up the times God provides for a good loud shout of laughter, I'm always sorry later when some stress comes up and muddles my thinking. I think laughter clears the cobwebs out and clarifies the emotions just a bit.

While I was washing my never ending pile of dishes, part of my mind was on the three girls near my feet, playing with my laundry basket. They had their entire collection of colorful ponies in there, and it was setting sail about the room in what appeared to be a gale. The basket was swooping around the room like a wild thing. All six little hands were clinging to it at it swirled, dipped, and careened about. I could only imagine that those poor horsies were thinking they were going to sue the socks off their travel agent if they ever made it safely to the stable again. I said the first thing that popped into my head.

"Ooo! If I were in there it would make me sick to my stomach!"

Instantly the room was filled the groans, moans, and retching of eight plastic ponies as they were all struck by a wave of seasickness. I look again, and sure enough, each nose has been turned out to lean over the edge of the basket.

I had to stop working and sit on the floor to get through that fit of laughter.

There was only one thing I could say after that.

"You guys better clean up all that pony puke!"

But then again, maybe you have to be a Mommy to think this is funny...

Thursday, April 03, 2008

Good! My husband is now a Mexican citizen. This joint citizenship will help us greatly with ministry and living in Mexico. We will be heading out to Mexico City in December, so those of you who pray for us, thank you!

Not so good! It looks like there will be no more Internet out where we are staying any more. I miss you all, especially those of you whose blogs I visit. You are in my prayers! God bless!